There have been a few roof leaks appearing over the last few
weeks.
I’ve known about the one in the tunnel for a while, these
were caused by pesky birds standing outside on top of the plastic and pecking
at the insects inside with their sharp, pointy beaks.
The shed roof probably needs recovering. The flat roof in
the kitchen and water stains on the living room ceiling will need to be
addressed at some point too. These can’t really be fixed in a rush in between
rain showers, so we’ll have to put up with the plopping noise water drops make
in the buckets as the roof drips.
Thankfully, most of my garden has survived waterlogging or
flooding. Others aren't so lucky.
The worst-case scenarios are gardens that get washed away by
flash floods when rivers burst their banks.
The majority of flooding and waterlogging in our gardens is
less damaging and dramatic and comes from something called “surface water
flooding”.
Surface Water
Flooding
Surface water flooding happens when water is unable to drain
away from the surfaces it has fallen, or sitting in.
It can appear as large puddles, water sitting on paved
surfaces outside the house, flowing water and sometimes hidden just under the
surface of the lawn.
In cold, winter soils, roots and soil microorganisms need
less oxygen, so waterlogging is much less damaging than during warm seasons.
This isn’t to say that the plants aren’t affected, it might just take a while
longer for the leaves to turn yellow.
Heavy, consistent rainfall is the main culprit although
melting ice and snow can contribute.
Normally, if rain falls onto a hard surface, like roof tiles
or concrete, it will roll away and find the nearest drain. If it falls onto
grassy surfaces, planted areas or bare earth it will be absorbed until the land
is saturated. Surface water flooding happens when water that has fallen onto a
hard surface cannot roll away or find a drain. It also happens when water falls
onto a vegetated or soft surface that is already saturated so it can’t soak up
any more water.
When surface water flooding occurs, it can damage plants and
also create hazards on paved areas and encourage slippery moss to grow. If it’s
particularly persistent the water can cause structural problems for paved
surfaces, fences, sheds and outdoor buildings.
There are a few preventative things we can do to help the
water along it’s slow meander to the sea.
Clearing Gutters and Outside Drains
Gutters play a key role in channelling excess water away
from your home. Regularly check that they’re in good repair and replace any
parts that have deteriorated or broken.
Repair Roofs
Keeping an eye on your roof is an important part of
protecting your home from heavy rain and snowfall. Rainwater will rely on a
smooth, sloped surface to find its way into the gutters and downpipes. Tiled
roofs can be checked for loose tiles at least once a year as well as after
extreme weather. Pay close attention to any flat or felted roofs as they don’t
fare well in Ireland. They are more at home in drier climates.
Water Butts
It’s a great idea to
make good use of it by installing water butts at the base of your downpipes.
They’re ideal for capturing water for outdoor use but can only collect a small
amount in the grand scale of things.
Driveways
Driveways and parking spaces can be one of the trickiest
spaces when it comes to surface water. Whilst it makes an ideal surface for
your car, paving these areas with concrete, asphalt or block paving can make it
hard for water to soak away.
Planning
Choose surfaces that allow water to permeate through or run
easily off them when garden planning. In addition, take into account that the
surface will need a slight fall, or slope, to allow water to drain away from
your house and any outdoor buildings.
Drains
It’s not just gutters that need to be kept clear to keep
water flowing. Have a look at uncovered drains in the spring and autumn and
after big storms.
French drain
If all else fails and you find that you have a more serious
water logging drainage problem in the garden, you could have a ‘French drain’
installed. This system is essentially an extra underground drainpipe.
A healthy lawn does a great job of allowing rainwater to
flow through the water table. Plants and
trees also play an important role throughout your garden as they will absorb
groundwater through their roots.
